Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-25

A Word to Girls.

often hear girls say: "Oh, I've got new
pattern for knit lace" or @Tve learned to
make paper flowers Now, dare say knit
lace will wear longer than women; that paper
flowers, well made, are pretty decorations,
These things are all very well enough for
play; but how many of you do anything
usefulJ
This does not apply to that large class OF
country girls who honestly work for their
living, and are therefore respectable and
respected; u girl who has sold goods all day
in store, tended machines in a factory, made
or trimmed bonnets, sewed for dressmaker,
can knit lace or make paper flowers at then
leisure, without remark or criticism from me;
they have earned right TO amusement OF
any harmless kind: hut when see, as do see
often, girls who spend their time walking,
driving doing fancy work dancing when
ever they can. hving-it this Is hvIng-ln
self indulgent idleness, while their
fathers and mothers are working hard 10
give them this leisure, | want TO shake them.
Yes, undignified as it is, | want really To
shake them want to shout in their ears:
"Girls, wake up What are you doings
What did God make You fora Are you good
for anything in heaven above u earth bt-
neath'"
And, indeed, what are they good fors
don't think they are of any use at home;
they never get Up in time for breakfast If
thew can help it; they never offer TO wash
the dishes, to sweep, to dust If they make
their own beds it is under protest and com
| plant; and as for cookingl a Hottentot
knows better how to prepare meal than
the nominaIly Christian girl; and their sew
| ing would not pass muster at an old fash
Toned dame school They don't help theU
mothers in anything, not even by loving
them; for self indulgence is dry rot that
eats out all the moral affections, and leaves
| in their place self love, self conceit, impa
tience of control, disobedience, and all thu
repellant traits that this self ceuter throws
out from its daily revolutions.
What do they readi Novels.
Now, there are novels which are part of {
| liberal education, which breathe life ant
| interest into the dry bones of historic record
or impress great moral truths by vivid Illus
trations; but the sort these girls read ar
| trash if no worse. They live by such read
| ing in an atmosphere of finery, wire draw
sentiment. uDgovernable and therefore be
witching, passion, lofty airs of high" soci
ETY., falsehood, perjury. indecency, evsI
crime
They do not stop to think that Lady Adeliz
Cunegunda Fitz Roy, in robes of ruby velve
blazing with diamonds, and hiding broke
heart under clouds Of Mechlin lace, commit
breach of the laws of God and society tina
ought to be be punished by prison for lif
when the irresistible" passion makes her ru
away from kind husband with an old lover
, Nor do they consider that American girl:
living in small white houses, cannot hav
boarders and morning rooms and librarit
paved with velvet, hung with priceless en-
broideries, and set about with couches o
which they can attitudinize IN incredib
clothes to receive their lovers, nor that the.
lovers, being clerks in stores, railroad col
> ductors, young farmers, perhaps here al
there schoohnaster, OF budding lawye
would be curiously out of place IN such
| position Rose Terry Cooke.